Eight International Women’s Day Events Happening Around N.B.
International Women’s Day is just around the corner.
It’s a day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the world. It also calls for an acceleration of gender parity in all those areas, hence this year’s theme being #PressforProgress.
Here’s where you can take part in the celebration throughout New Brunswick on March 8:
1) International Women’s Day, Rothesay (free)
Co-hosted by former Minister for the Status of Women Mary Schryer, entrepreneur Elaine Shannon, the Town of Quispamsis and the Town of Rothesay, the event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bill McGuire Centre.
It will include a light meal and a speech by Alyson Townsend, a partner at consulting firm Resonance Inc. In line with this year’s Press For Progress theme, she will speak about the number of women sitting at the cabinet table or in provincial politics as well as the successful women-led movements that have happened in the past year.
“What it would do is try to encourage women to meet other women and at the same time sort of reflect on where we’ve been and where we need to go,” Schryer said.
Even if women can’t make it to the event, she encourages them to celebrate the day in other ways.
“You can call your girlfriends that day, you can go for a lunch on March 8 or have an office conversation at work about gender parity.”
2) Be Bold in Business Networking Event, Dieppe ($)
Located at the Coastal Inns, the event will include 10 female entrepreneurs speaking about their businesses. It’s also a chance for businesswomen to network. Refreshments and door prizes will be provided.
Attendants can buy tickets for $20 at the door, while the cost for speakers is $35 and for VIP Members $30.
The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. It’s hosted by Fabulous@50, a web community created by baby boomer women for baby boomer women.
3) Pluri’Elles – En 2018, Je M’Affiche! Coffee Meeting and Panel Discussion, Moncton (free)
Pluri’Elles, an initiative by Regroupement Féministe du Nouveau Brunswick, will host a coffee-and-snacks meeting at Dolma Foods at 5 p.m. That will be followed by a panel discussion at The Bernard LeBlanc Hall at the Aberdeen Cultural Centre at 7 p.m. The event is part of the Gender Equality Week (March 1-8).
The panel will feature activists from various fields who will share their experience of activism.
4) 25th-Anniversary Celebrations for the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre, Fredericton (free)
The Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre for Family Violence Research (MMFC) will launch celebrations for its 25th anniversary at 10.30 a.m. on March 8. It will take place at the MMFC on UNB’s Fredericton campus.
“We’ve chosen to launch our anniversary celebrations on International Women’s Day – an important occasion to promote women’s equality and celebrate the work that has been done to empower women everywhere,” the organization said in a release.
The MMFC has been working to help solve violence against women in Atlantic Canada for over two decades. The centre will showcase a video about its history at the event.
5) Women’s Equality Branch Open House, Fredericton (free)
The Women’s Equality Branch, a branch of the provincial government’s Executive Council Office, will host its annual open house at its office on 551 King Street from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Visitors can meet staff, and learn about the branch’s publications and programs.
6) International Women’s Day Celebration #PressforProgress, Miramichi (free)
Hosted by the Women of Miramichi Entrepreneurial Network at the Capers Pub and Eatery, the annual event will showcase female entertainers and speakers. It will also include a women-themed trivia and door prizes.
The group will seek out donations for the Miramichi Emergency Centre for Women at the event.
The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.
7) Together We Shine: Luncheon and/or Workshop, Moncton ($)
This is the second International Women’s Day luncheon held by C3 Leadership, founded by Cindy Comeau. This year’s event will include a workshop led by GlassSky’s Robin Tingley, entitled “Women in Leadership Unplugged.” It will also have a fundraiser element for the Courage Capital Campaign of the Beausejour Crisis & Resource Centre in Shediac.
Tickets for the event are between $40 and $99. The luncheon will take place at the Delta Beausejour hotel from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Comeau wants attendants to meet others, so they won’t be seated with the groups or people they come with.
“You have to go meet new people in the community. I want everyone to be a little uncomfortable in a comfortable environment,” she said.
8) International Women’s Day with Hopped Yoga, Fredericton (By Donation)
The event, set to take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Picaroons Roundhouse, is hosted by the craft brewery and yoga studio Hopped Yoga.
Attendants can take part in a one-hour yoga session by donating some cash at the door. Proceeds will go to Liberty Lane Fredericton, a charity that offers Second Stage Housing to women and children who have experienced family violence.
A Picaroons beer tasting will take place after the session.